Acriopsis emarginata

Acriopsis emarginata is an epiphyte which forms dense clumps with the pseudobulbs surrounded by thin white roots. The pseudobulbs are pale green and onion-like, {{convert|30-70|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|30-40|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. There are between two and four dark green, leathery, narrow egg-shaped leaves which are {{convert|150-200|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|20-25|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. Wiry, branching flower stems {{convert|200-600|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long bear large numbers of cream-coloured to pinkish flowers which are {{convert|4-5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide and have a white, three-lobed, triangular labellum. Each flower has a thread-like pedicel {{convert|4-5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long. The dorsal sepal is linear to oblong, {{convert|4-5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long, about {{convert|1|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide and the lateral sepals are fused to form a boat shape {{convert|4-5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long, about {{convert|1.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide below the labellum. The petals are linear to egg-shaped with similar dimensions to the lateral sepals. The labellum is {{convert|4.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, about {{convert|4|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide and has three lobes. The lateral lobes are broadly triangular and the middle lobe is short with two prominent calli. Flowering mainly occurs from June to November.{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=David L.|title=A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories|date=2006|publisher=New Holland|location=Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.|isbn=1877069124|page =460}}{{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=David L.|last2=Clements|first2=Mark A.|title=New taxa of Australian Orchidaceae|journal=Australian Orchid Research|date=2006|volume=5|pages =3–4}}{{cite web|title=Approved Conservation Advice for Acriopsis javanica|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/83928-conservation-advice.pdf|publisher=Australian Government Department of the Environment|accessdate=14 February 2018}}

Acriopsis emarginata was first formally described in 2006 by David Jones and Mark Clements from a specimen collected in the Daintree River valley and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research.{{cite web|title=Acriopsis emarginata|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/616202|publisher=APNI|accessdate=14 February 2018}} The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek words akris meaning "grasshopper"{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.}}{{rp|380}} and opsis meaning "appearance" or "aspect",{{rp|313}} referring to the grasshopper-like appearance of the column.{{cite book|last1=Quattrocchi|first1=Umberto|title=CRC world dictionary of medicinal and poisonous plants|date=2014|publisher=Taylor and Francis|location=Hoboken|isbn=9781482250640|page=69}}

The specific epithet (emarginata) is a Latin word meaning "notched at the apex",{{rp|562}} referring to the notch on the labellum callus.

This species was formerly included with Acriopsis javanica but Australian plants are more robust with larger pseudobulbs and leaves and more highly branched flowering stems.{{cite web |author1=D.L.Jones |author2=T.Hopley |author3=S.M.Duffy |author1-link=David L. Jones (botanist) |year=2010 |access-date=28 May 2021 |url=http://www.canbr.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/RFKOrchids/key/rfkorchids/Media/Html/Acriopsis_emarginata.htm |title=Factsheet - Acriopsis emarginata |website=Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids |publisher=Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government}}

The pale chandelier orchid is widespread and common in tropical Queensland from Cape York to the Daintree River. It grows near the crown of trees, palms and Pandanus.

Acriopsis emarginata is listed as "vulnerable" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.{{cite web |title=Species profile—Acriopsis emarginata (pale chandelier orchid) |url=https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/details/?id=31909 |publisher=Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science |access-date=3 August 2021}}

Easy to grow, but needs water all year round, high humidity, and warmth (not below 10 °C). Can be grown on a slab or in a small pot with a coarse mix.

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Category:Orchids of Australia

Category:Flora of Queensland

Category:Epiphytic orchids

Category:Cymbidiinae

Category:Plants described in 2016